 Birch Bay sit approximately 7 miles south of the international border bewteen British Columbia, Canada and the City of Blaine. There are two border crossings in the City of Blaine; the Peace Arch crossing (Douglas Crossing)
and the Pacific Highway crossing also
know as the Truck Crossing (SR-543). There is
also a border crossing from British Columbia
in to Point Roberts known as the Boundary
Bay Crossing.
Here are some helpful tips
on crossing the border between Blaine,
WA and British Columbia, Canada. (PLEASE NOTE: The following information is subject to change).
PLEASE NOTE: As of June 2009 - New Document Requirement for Land and Sea - The documents that will be allowed after this date are Passports, NEXUS Cards and Enhanced Drivers License. Birth Certificates will no longer be accepted after this date, nor will Drivers' Licenses that have not been upgraded to the new Enhanced Drivers License.
Entering
Canada: What is needed
As of June 1, 2009, everyone from every country that comes to Canada by air, land and sea needs a passport or equivalent travel document. Currently, U.S. citizens do not necessarily need a passport entering Canada by land or sea, but need valid ID that proves identity and citizenship. You will
be asked for government issued ID such
as birth certificate. Make sure that
you bring an
original birth certificate with
you; it should have the city's/State
seal impressed into the paper, and possibly
a watermark. Also carry your drivers
license with you as proof of ID regardless
if you are driving or not. Visitors from any country other than the U.S. need a passport to enter Canada.
US
aliens are required to bring an Alien Registration
Receipt Card as proof of residence.
Naturalized citizens should bring their
naturalization paperwork. A rule of thumb
is bring as much identification as possible,
the last thing you want is to get stuck
at a border crossing because you didn't
bring enough ID.
You
will be denied entry into Canada if you have
any felony convictions, DUI charges,
and other major crimes. Minor traffic violations
such as speeding, parking, tailgating, etc.,
don't count. Also, have your car
registration ready if asked.
Entering
the United States: What is needed
As of June 1, 2009, everyone from every country that comes to Canada by air, land and sea needs a passport or equivalent travel document. Currently two forms of photo ID are required to enter the United States. Passports
are the ideal form of identification followed by a drivers license. If you do
not
have a passport, you must show two other forms of photo ID as well as your original
birth certificate. Make sure that you bring an
original birth certificate with you; it should have the state
seal impressed into the paper, and possibly a watermark.
Expect car searches as they have become the norm since 9/11.
Children
traveling into Canada/USA
U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 15 or younger with parental consent will be allowed to cross the borders at land and sea entry points with certified copies of their birth certificates rather than passports.
Visitors of all ages arriving in Canada by air require a passport or passport equivalent.
U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 16 through 18 traveling between the U.S. and Canada with school, religious, cultural or athletic groups and under adult supervision will also be allowed to travel with only proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
Children may require additional travel documents when visiting Canada. See Tips for Crossing the Border with Children for more info.
Visitors of all other nationalities, of all ages, need a valid passport to enter Canada by land,
sea and air.
If you are
traveling with children and crossing the
border into Canada or the USA, you should:
1.
Carry
identification for each child.
2.
Divorced parents who share custody of their
children should carry copies of the legal
custody documents.
3.
Adults who are not parents
or guardians should have written permission
from the parents or guardians to supervise
the children.
Currency
and Monetary Information
All
physical importations and exportations of
currency and monetary instruments equal
to or greater than CAN$10,000 or US$10,000
must be reported to Customs. For a currency converter, click here.
Pets
Dogs and cats from the U.S. that are at
least three months old need signed and
dated certificates from a veterinarian
verifying that they have been vaccinated
against rabies within the last three years.
The certificate must clearly identify the
animal. If your dogs or cats are less than
three months old, you do not need a certificate
of rabies vaccination to enter Canada.
However, the animals must be in good health
when they arrive. Most pet foods are not allowed to cross the border.
NEXUS
for frequent travelers
The NEXUS - Highway program is a joint
Canada-United States initiative that allows
low-risk, frequent travelers to cross
the border through dedicated lanes. NEXUS
is currently offered at:
- Douglas,
British Columbia/Peace Arch, Washington
- Pacific
Highway, British Columbia/Blaine,
Washington
- Boundary
Bay, British Columbia/Point Roberts,
Washington
You
can obtain more information on
applying for NEXUS by visiting www.getnexus.com
NEXUS
hours of operation
The following are hours that NEXUS lanes
are open for:
| Location |
Canada
Hours of Service |
US
Hours of Service |
Pacific
Highway
Truck Crossing |
Seven
days a wk
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
Seven
days a wk
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
Douglas
Peace
Arch |
Seven
days a wk
7 a.m. to Midnight
|
Seven
days a wk
6 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
Boundary
Bay
Point Roberts |
Seven
days a wk
9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
(May 15-Sept. 16)
Seven
days a wk
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
(Sept. 16-May 14) |
Seven
days a wk
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
PROHIBITED ITEMS
Food & Plant Items into Canada - There are many restrictions on what food & plant items you can bring into Canada.
Allowed - Condiments; Dry goods; Coffee/tea; Canned, frozen & dried fruits & vegetables; Most seafood; Fresh meat depending on origin (22lb limit/person); Dairy products depending on origin ($20 limit/person). Prohibited - Most pet food; Most poultry & fresh eggs; Most plants; Many fresh fruits & vegetables. *Call for specific information, or don’t bring what you’re not willing to give up at the border.
Food & Plant Items into US:
Prohibited - Most pet food (US made in original package OK), citrus fruit, tropical fruit, out of season produce, garlic, potatoes from Van. Island, corn-on-cob not from BC; All beef, lamb, goat, bison, uncooked poultry, raw eggs; produce & meats from countries other than US & Canada; Hawaiian origin plants & produce; Canadian plants & seeds without Phytosanitary certificates.
Allowed - Most commercially grown fruits & vegetables from the US and Canada with proof of origin; Pork and seafood; Canadian & US plants & seeds with Phytosanitary certificate; Most Canadian cut flowers (will require inspection).
Firearms: Handguns are not allowed entry into Canada. Firearms with no legitimate sporting or recreational use, mace, capstan, stun guns and switchblades are not permitted. Sporting rifles or shotguns are usually permitted for sport or hunting. As of January 1, 2001, one must complete a “Firearms Declaration Form,” and there is a $50 fee.
For more information or forms call 1-800-731-4000, go to
www.cfc-ccaf.gc.ca/Default-en.html,
or contact Canadian Customs.
It is recommended that the form be completed in advance.
QUICK LINKS
Interesting British Columbia Links:
Tourism Whistler
2010 things to do in Whistler
Tourism Vancouver 2010 Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games Info
Vancouver 2010
Vancouver 2010 Timeline
Tourism Vancouver Offical Web Site
Whistler Chamber of Commerce
West Vancouver Visitor Information
Vancouver Vital Information: Crossing The Border
Vancouver BC Restaurants
Fraser Valley BC Restaurants
White Rock BC Restaurants
Interesting Whatcom County/Blaine Links:
City of Blaine
Bellingham/Whatcom County Tourism
Peace Arch Park International Sculpture Exhibit
Mt. Baker Ski Area
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